ABSTRACT
Introduction. Les méningites/méningo-encéphalites sont des urgences médicales d'étiologies variées. La technique de diagnostic Multiplex Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) permet de détecter la présence de bactéries et de virus dans le liquide céphalorachidien (LCR) avec une spécificité et une sensibilité ≥ 90%. L'objectif de cette étude était d'identifier en utilisant cette technique, les principaux germes responsables des méningites et méningo-encéphalites en réanimation à Libreville. Patients et méthodes. Nous avons mené une étude transversale allant d'octobre 2020 à septembre 2021. Les critères d'inclusion étaient : être admis en réanimation au CHUL et à l'HIAOBO pour suspicion de méningite ou méningo-encéphalite, obtenir l'accord des familles pour l'analyse du liquide céphalorachidien (LCR) par multiplex PCR. Les variables étudiées étaient : la fréquence, les données sociodémographiques, les aspects cliniques et paracliniques. Résultats. Soixante et onze patients ont répondu aux critères d'inclusion. L'âge moyen était de 21,1 ± 10,4 ans et le sex ratio de 1,2. Les motifs d'admission étaient l'altération de l'état de conscience (77%) et l'état de mal épileptique (21%). Plasmodium falciparum a été retrouvé seul chez 38 patients (53,5%) et associé à Listeria monocytogenes chez 4 patients (1,4%). Les méningo-encéphalites à Herpès simplex virus ont été observées chez 4 patients (1,4%) dont l'âge variait entre 40 ans et moins de 50 ans. Un patient (1,4%) présentait une coinfection à S. épidermidis, flavivirus et alphavirus. Des méningo-encéphalites sans germes ont été observées chez 5 patients (%). Conclusion. Le principal germe responsable de méningoencéphalite en réanimation à Libreville est P. falciparum. Des virus tels que le flavivirus et l'alphavirus non détectés par les méthodes usuelles ont aussi été mis en évidence grâce au multiplex PCR.
Introduction. Meningitis/meningoencephalitis are medical emergencies of various etiologies. The Multiplex Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) technique allows the detection of the presence of bacteria and viruses in the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) with a specificity and sensibility of above 90%. The aim of this study was to identify the most common germs responsible for meningitis and meningoencephalitis in the intensive care units of Libreville using this technique,. Patients and methods. We conducted a transversal study from October 2020 to September 2021. Inclusion criteria were: being admitted to intensive care unit of CHUL and HIAOBO for suspicion of meningitis or meningoencephalitis and having the parent's approval for multiplex PCR analysis of CSF. Variables studied included frequency, sociodemographic data, clinical and paraclinical aspects. Results. Seventy one patients were included. Mean age was 21.1 ± 10.4 years and the sex ratio was 1.2. Reasons for admission were altered consciousness (77%) and epilepsy (21%). Plasmodium (P) faciparum was detected alone in 38 cases (53.5%) and associated to Listeria monocytogenes in 4 patients (5.6%). Herpex simplex viral meningoencephalitis was observed in 4 patients (5.6%) aged between 40 and less than 50 years. One patient (1.4%) had co-infection with S. epidermidis, flavivirus and alphavirus. Meningoencephalitis with no germs was found in 5 patients (7%). Conclusion. The main etiology of meningoencephalitis in intensive care units of Libreville is P. falciparum. Viruses not detected by usual methods like flavivirus and alphavirus were detected by multiplex PCR.
Subject(s)
Humans , Male , Female , Cerebrospinal Fluid , Multiplex Polymerase Chain Reaction , Meningitis , Meningoencephalitis , Diagnosis , Emergency Medical ServicesABSTRACT
Background. Tuberculous and cryptococcal meningitis (TBM and CM) are the most common causes of opportunistic meningitis in HIV infected patients from resource-limited settings, and the differential diagnosis is challenging. Objective. To compare clinical and basic cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) characteristics between TBM and CM in HIV-infected patients.Methods. A retrospective analysis was conducted of clinical, radiological and laboratory records of 108 and 98 HIV-infected patients with culture-proven diagnosis of TBM and CM, respectively. The patients were admitted at a tertiary centre in São Paulo, Brazil. A logistic regression model was used to distinguish TBM from CM and derive a diagnostic index based on the adjusted odds ratio (OR) to differentiate these two diseases.Results. In multivariate analysis, TBM was independently associated with: CSF with neutrophil predominance (odds ratio (OR) 35.81, 95% confidence interval (CI) 3.80 - 341.30, p=0.002), CSF pleocytosis (OR 9.43, 95% CI 1.30 - 68.70, p=0.027), CSF protein >1.0 g/L (OR 5.13, 95% CI 1.38 - 19.04, p=0.032) and Glasgow Coma Scale <15 (OR 3.10, 95% CI 1.03 - 9.34, p=0.044). Nausea and vomiting (OR 0.27, 95% CI 0.08 - 0.90, p=0.033) were associated with CM. Algorithm-related area under the receiver operating characteristics curve was 0.815 (95% CI 0.758 - 0.873, p<0.0001), but an accurate cut-off was not derived.Conclusion. Although some clinical and basic CSF characteristics appear useful in the differential diagnosis of TBM and CM in HIV infected patients, an accurate algorithm was not identified. Optimised access to rapid, sensitive and specific laboratory tests is essential
Subject(s)
Cerebrospinal Fluid , HIV Infections , Meningitis, Cryptococcal , South Africa , Tuberculosis, MeningealABSTRACT
Background. Serious infections in children are difficult to determine from symptoms and signs alone. Fever is both a marker of insignificant viral infection; as well as more serious bacterial sepsis. Therefore; seeking markers of invasive disease; as well as culture positivity for organisms; has been a goal of paediatricians for many years. In addition; the avoidance of unnecessary antibiotics is important in this time of emerging multiresistant micro-organisms. Objective. To ascertain whether acute-phase reactant tests predict positive culture results.Methods. A prospective; cross-sectional study over a 1-year period included all documented febrile childre nunder the age of 5 years (with an axillary temperature =38oC) who presented to Steve Biko Academic Hospital; Pretoria; with signs and symptoms of pneumonia; meningitis and/or generalised sepsis. Every child had clinical signs; chest radiograph findings; urine culture; blood testing (full blood count; C-reactive protein; procalcitonin) and blood culture results recorded. Results. A total of 63 patients were enrolled; all of whom had an axillary temperature =38oC. C-reactive protein; procalcitonin and white cell count did not predict the presence of positive blood culture or cerebrospinal fluid culture results; nor infiltrates on chest radiographs. No statistically significant correlations were found between the duration of hospital stay and the degree of fever (p=0.123); white cell count (p=0.611); C-reactive protein (p=0.863) or procalcitonin (p=0.392). Conclusion. Biomarkers do not seem to predict severity of infection; source of infection; or duration of hospitalisation in children presenting to hospital with fever. The sample size is however too small to definitively confirm this viewpoint. This study suggests that clinical suspicion of serious infection and appropriate action are as valuable as extensive testing
Subject(s)
Bacterial Infections , Biomarkers , Cerebrospinal Fluid , Cross-Sectional Studies , Signs and SymptomsABSTRACT
La meningite bacterienne aigue (MBA) est une urgence medicale par ses complications potentielles; elle justifie un diagnostic et traitement precoces. La strategie nationale au Burkina Faso recommande une reference de tous les cas suspects au Centre Hospitalier Universitaire Souro Sanou; habilete a confirmer le diagnostic par analyse du liquide cephalo-rachidien. Methodes. Les auteurs; a travers une etude transversale et analytique; ont recherche les donnees epidemiocliniques des cas suspects referes; en vue de valider l'approche syndromique; dans l'orientation dudiagnostic de la meningite. La specificite; la sensibilite; et la valeur predictive positive des donnees cliniques ont ete determinees; par rapport a la confirmation apportee par la culture du LCR; selon les recommandations de STARD et de l'OMS. Resultats. Au total; 377 patients ont ete enregistres; soit un taux de 2;4; par rapport a l'ensemble des malades admis pendant la periode d'etude. La fievre (81;6) et la raideur de nuque (72;9) ont ete les observations cliniques les plus frequentes ; le bombement de la fontanelle (31;6) et les convulsions ( 23;1); etant l'apanage des patients pediatriques. La culture du liquide cephalorachidien (LCR) a ete positive chez 207 sujets (54;9) avec tableau clinique suggestif; et chez 97 patients sans triade symptomatique classique; meme si la fievre etait presente dans tous les cas (T. 38C). La specificite et la valeur predictive positive du tableau clinique etaient de 100dans la confirmation du diagnostic par la culture. Conclusion. Cette enquete montre la pertinence de l'examen clinique dans l'approche diagnostique de la MBA au niveau des centres de sante; tout en relevant le role determinant de la culture du LCR dans la confirmation de la pathologie
Subject(s)
Cerebrospinal Fluid , Meningitis, Bacterial/diagnosisABSTRACT
A retrospective analysis of 1-5 cases of meningitis admitted at the Paediatric Department of Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital; Kumasi between January 1987 and February 1988 in presented. The laboratory investigations show that 14 (13.3 per cent) had clear CSF with negative culture. The biochemistry; cell count and type of cells were suggestive of viral meningitis. The remaining 91 (86.7 per cent) cases had turbid CSF syggestuve if bacterial infection